Seeder / aerator combo units? - Machine Underground -Tractor & Commercial Equipment Discussion Forum

KnightFire · 08-10-2008, 08:21 AM

I have a need for a tow-behind lawn seeder/aerator. I've been looking at the the John Deere 40" model from Home Depot for $370.00, but it seems a bit small for my needs:

Then there is the Brinly 40" model for $180, again a bit small for my needs...I think.

***I'd have posted pictures and websites of both, for contrast purposes, but can't due to my low post count***

The JD unit seems to be made much sturdier and is pretty much my #1 choice as of now, my question to you gurus is, are these types of units my only options?

I've been searching and searching and can't seem to find something that will fit nicely behind my JD 2520 and will seed/aerate ~2 acres of my 4 acre lot.

I know I can buy full sized, separate units, but that would be pretty expensive and take 2x as long to complete the task.

Are the combo units even worth buying? What am I missing?

TIA!

GreenWannabe · 08-10-2008, 12:39 PM

I spent a little time this morning serching the internet, and found a few PTO-driven units in the 48-50 inch range, a Frontier FP1204 Food Plot Seeder, a Frontier TR1048 Overseeder, and a Befco GRT-250 Overseeder. These units require a minimum of 25 PTO horsepower, which is more than the 2520 has available. And they are much pricier than the ones you are looking at - the base Frontier units are in the $4500-$5000 range, and the Befco runs more than $7500. The 40 inch unit may be your best bet for the money.

Good luck

Fred

**PaulChristenson** · 08-10-2008, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KnightFire

I have a need for a tow-behind lawn seeder/aerator. I've been looking at the the John Deere 40" model from Home Depot for $370.00, but it seems a bit small for my needs:

Then there is the Brinly 40" model for $180, again a bit small for my needs...I think.

***I'd have posted pictures and websites of both, for contrast purposes, but can't due to my low post count***

This is to inhibit one-stop spammers...Just post 5 jokes and you can post pictures, et cetera...

The JD unit seems to be made much sturdier and is pretty much my #1 choice as of now, my question to you gurus is, are these types of units my only options?

I've been searching and searching and can't seem to find something that will fit nicely behind my JD 2520 and will seed/aerate ~2 acres of my 4 acre lot.
How often are you planning to perform this activity? For 2 acres for a one time shot, you might want to look at renting a unit...

I know I can buy full sized, separate units, but that would be pretty expensive and take 2x as long to complete the task.
A full size unit would cut your time to next to nothing, but the cost is pretty impressive...

Are the combo units even worth buying? What am I missing?
If you have heavy clay soil...Aeration may be annual activity...whereas seeding is NOT a recurring activity

TIA!

An aerator by itself is a better purchase...

For two acres, for a one-off activity, you can rent or buy a walk-behind seeder relatively cheap...

LandPride makes an excellent core aerator...
Land Pride Core Aerators

Hey, I like green, but many attachments are cheaper and better if they are NOT green...

KnightFire · 08-10-2008, 02:55 PM

Thanks for the replies!

GreenWannabe: I appreciate your searches and efforts. I came up with nearly the same results.

Paul: Thanks for the response! My soil is in fact, mostly clay. I believe I'll be doing this chore about once a year for the next few years, my 'yard' is in horrific shape and it will take quite a bit of work to get it the way I want.

As far as my comment about taking 2x as long if I were to use two individual units, is because I'd have to perform each task separately, instead of using one machine that can do both.

So you believe that a good core aerator would be the best bet and to continue seeding by hand? I have an older drop seeder I used for my old yard, which was about 1/3 of an acre, I'm thinking that using it for two acres would take at least a day, LOL.

**PaulChristenson** · 08-10-2008, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KnightFire

Thanks for the replies!

GreenWannabe: I appreciate your searches and efforts. I came up with nearly the same results.

Paul: Thanks for the response! My soil is in fact, mostly clay. I believe I'll be doing this chore about once a year for the next few years, my 'yard' is in horrific shape and it will take quite a bit of work to get it the way I want.
REMEMBER: NO SHARP TURNS WHILE THE AERATOR IS IN THE GROUND

As far as my comment about taking 2x as long if I were to use two individual units, is because I'd have to perform each task separately, instead of using one machine that can do both.

Oops...my bad...misread that one...

So you believe that a good core aerator would be the best bet and to continue seeding by hand? I have an older drop seeder I used for my old yard, which was about 1/3 of an acre, I'm thinking that using it for two acres would take at least a day, LOL.

Think of it as FREE EXERCISE...

Operation of aerator

Begin by lowering the three-point hitch until the aerator is
fully on the ground with all the weight off of the tractor.
Put the three-point in float position and pull ahead slowly
to get the spoons into the ground. Gradually increase
ground speed to approximately 5mph. Do not make
sharp turns with the aerator in the ground as equipment
damage may result. At the end of each pass lift the
aerator out and off of the ground until you have realigned
the tractor for the next pass. Look back often to observe
your pattern and to make sure you are getting good soil
penetration. If you aren’t achieving the desired
penetration, you may need to add more weight or wait
until after a rain or after irrigation has been applied to

softened the ground.

KnightFire · 08-10-2008, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PaulChristenson

Think of it as FREE EXERCISE...

Operation of aerator

Begin by lowering the three-point hitch until the aerator is
fully on the ground with all the weight off of the tractor.
Put the three-point in float position and pull ahead slowly
to get the spoons into the ground. Gradually increase
ground speed to approximately 5mph. Do not make
sharp turns with the aerator in the ground as equipment
damage may result. At the end of each pass lift the
aerator out and off of the ground until you have realigned
the tractor for the next pass. Look back often to observe
your pattern and to make sure you are getting good soil
penetration. If you aren’t achieving the desired
penetration, you may need to add more weight or wait
until after a rain or after irrigation has been applied to

softened the ground.

Good info to know, thanks for helping out the newb. I guess I'll start pricing decent coring units. I looked at the link you provided, looks like that would fit the bill nicely, any idea on it's cost?

TIA

**Kennyd** · 08-10-2008, 09:36 PM

I think you are wasting your money...Here is why:

I have a 48" Ferguson Yardmaker, There are other links if you Google it-but anyway...I also have clay and shale soil. It is basically a commercial duty version of the ones you are looking at. The drum can be filled with water for weight...

BUT- I have used it for 4 years now with ZERO gain. The small spikes do nothing to loosen the soil, you NEED a core aerator for this, and the seed just lays on top of the ground and does not germinate, you NEED a slit-seeder for that.

I can can get more detailed if you want, or I am just 1.5 hours or less away you want to see it work to make your decision...

**Kennyd** · 08-10-2008, 09:37 PM

Oh, and welcome to MU

**PaulChristenson** · 08-11-2008, 12:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KnightFire

Good info to know, thanks for helping out the newb. I guess I'll start pricing decent coring units. I looked at the link you provided, looks like that would fit the bill nicely, any idea on it's cost?

TIA

LAND PRIDE CA2560US $1,795IA

Stk #: 41509567; Aerator See Great American Outdoors 1-800-444-8873; Van Wall Equipment
Phone: (515)465-5681
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Updated: 8/7/2008 5:01:00 PM
New 2007 LAND PRIDE CA2572512484US $2,790IL

Core Aerator 72" wide; Blackhawk Lawn & Power Equipment
Phone: (815)547-4100
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Updated: 7/9/2008 10:02:00 AM

**Ducati996** · 08-11-2008, 12:30 AM

Me thinks a 3pt aerator and a 3 pt spreader is the best way to go - the hopper on the spreader should be polycarbonate and stainless steel agitators for longevity.

You can find great core aerators for your machine for under $1k with shipping - and the good spreaders about $600-$700

BTW welcome to the M.U ! welcome to the 2520 fold - there is a lot of us here